Is Steph Curry playing tonight against the Phoenix Suns? Latest injury update from Golden State Warriors (Oct. 24)
The Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns are part of the NBA's opening day schedule. The two championship hopefuls will face off in the day's second game, with Steph Curry expected to participate in the contest. Curry had an impressive preseason for the Warriors and will enter the new season hoping to win a championship.
Curry played in four preseason games for Golden State. He averaged 16.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, shooting 46.5% from the field and 48.1% from 3-point range. Curry also played as the Warriors' shooting guard, with Chris Paul taking the point guard role and operating as the primary ball-handler.
Golden State has revamped its roster this summer. Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy added some veteran leadership to their rotation. Chris Paul, Corey Joesph, and Dario Saric all joined during the offseason. Rookies Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis also headed to the Bay Area.
However, Curry's health and performance level will have the biggest impact on his team's success. As one of the most impactful players in history, the Golden State Warriors will be looking for him to lead the line. Curry is entering his 15th NBA season but has shown no signs of slowing down with age.
Stephen A. Smith believes Steph Curry is the best shooter of all-time
In "The Stephen A. Smith Show," the ESPN analyst discussed Steph Curry's scoring ability, and noted how he would trust him to take the last shot of a tie game.
"I still believe Steph Curry is the greatest shooter God ever created," Smith said."I'm not saying he has the resume that says you take him over Reggie Miller in closing moments. I'm saying he's so phenomenal as a shooter, I can't in good conscience, pick anybody over Steph Curry with the last shot on the line, whose name ain't Michael Jordan." [1:04:08 onwards]
Curry will certainly have the ball in his hands during clutch time. However, Chris Paul is also an elite finisher down the stretch and is extremely talented at organizing an offense in the half-court when the pressure is high.
Curry and Paul together will give Steve Kerr plenty of options, which could lead to many late-game victories for the Warriors throughout the season.
Nevertheless, Golden State hopes their opening game against the Suns doesn't require some late-game heroics from one of their star guards. After all, the season's opening game is about finding a rhythm and keeping everybody healthy.